Hugo Gernsback is famous for being a science fiction publishing titan, being the namesake of the…
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And Gernsback's greatest contribution to office culture was "The Isolator," a sound-proof helmet that was so airtight it required its own oxygen tank. Imagine the nonstop comedy if these were implemented widespread today.

Gernsback revealed this device in the July 1925 issue of Science and Invention magazine, which included a photo of the inventor himself demonstrating its productivity-boosting qualities.

I absolutely love how superfluous the fan and telephone are in the context of this illustration.

Never mind the fact that this semi-phallic helmet looks excruciatingly hot, rivals the Mickey Mouse gas mask in terms of creepiness, or that one runs the risk of asphyxiating during a moment of gasp-inducing brilliance. The Isolator was the true face of diligence.

Although Hugo Gernsback is best-known among fans for creating the first-ever magazine devoted to…
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The flame tank proposed is built as a huge army tank, of almost any dimensions you wish but, instead of carrying cannon or machine guns, the equipment in its interior comprises, first of all, its propelling machinery; second, the usual turrets from which the observing officers peep through slots; third, and occupying most of the available space in the interior, of the tank, we find huge tanks of fuel which may be gasoline, crude oil, or any suitable substance which is to feed the flames. Fourth, air compressing machinery, which keeps the fuel under high pressure, in order to shoot the flames at great speed over a good distance.